Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-02

THE RICH BLOOM OF THE JAssAMISE AND THR
GRAPE MYRTLE-TRoPICAL THUNDER sToRMs-rHE
MOSQUITOES AND THE ''sNUDeK FIRES
Correspondence of The EVENING STAR.
JACKSONVILLE, June "a.
Thousands who come down from the North in
the winter time and fy up and down the St Johns
go back thinking they know all about Florida
But they know little OF the charms OF the Flo
ridian summer, and OF all the peasantness 10 be
found in the by-wayS OF the route OF ordinary
travel and aside from the ordinary tourists routine
On one OF the St. Johns boats in the early spring
was interested In the chance remarks OF a group
OF ladies route noruhward. One OF them was
lamenting her Inability 10 see the Grape myrtle In
bloom. But for that she must stay till early June
the true time 10 see them I'm all their glory, and
that, indeed, was a suggestion too much for the
nerves or a sensitive person, who could See no
beauty In smudge fires.
But as to the climate. DO you wonder what the
Florida summer is like? IL il ike nothing else IL
Is the most delightful thing In the world. The
heat or the sun Is intense. But, then keep out OF
the sun, and in the shade YOU mud always the
breeze, and that Is something delicious. IL Is
always there, either sweeping across from the
ocean, or creeping over from the gulf. And how
ever IL comes-whether sweeping or creepng-by
the time IL Is halfway over IL lUses any bolster.
oIs or creepy peculiaTtles that may have marked
IL. and reaches Us subiuedto mildly eXhilrating
quality that keeps the pulse stirring and arOuses
the pines TO murmurOus life delightful 10 listen
to. The effect is dreamy, soothing and tranquilil-
iLg.
FLORIDA THUNDER SHOWERS.
We have thunder showers often; they partake OF
the semi-tropical character. The thunder goes
rolling and crashing overhead as II the battle
ments OF heaven were being bOmbarded And the
lightning. Sometimes IL comes In a dazzling flash
that lights UP the piled-up clouds and sometimes
II comes In chalns that go zig-Zaggtng along the
horizon, or dash vertically toward Us with what
might be called terrible beauty.
lla.a
quality. Sometimes they come toward evening,
With only a low and long-drawn rumble OF the
chariot wheels overhead an agreeable accom-
panment 70 the sOft-ralling rain, that comes like
"iucid veil" between Us and the pines. And
then the delicious GOODNESS battles groves and
gardens, and we think OF the feryid JuDes We have
endured at the North.
The Florida mosquito is a reality, but he hasn't
the grit and grip OF his New Jersey brother and
succumbs 10 a mider slap. To the mosquitoes Is
due one OF the local Institutions. II You should
come here In warm weather you would notice In
the twilight thin columns OF smoke rising IN the
near vicinity OF the various honesteads round
about. These are the 'smudge-ires," lighted TO
drive away any insect torments that may be
lurking IN ambush. THAT always bOuhers the
little pests. and whatever their Intentions may
have been, they retire In good order, conteLting
themselves with little sharpshooting.
BY June the Jaslnines are through olossomlny
and the Grape myrtle, the companion flower piece
OF the south, is ready TO take the Moral held
PICTURESQUE RUIN.
There Is an old ruined house not far from our
country place that presents as picturesque scene
as could be found throughout the peninsula It
is a chaos or weather-beaten timbers and shrub
berry, gloomed over by an immense oak. From
the oak hangs a gray cloud or Spanish moss. The
walls or the house fell out and the rOof Tell Ia.
The tall chimney stood up intact I'LL quite re-
Gently, showing TWO cayernous nreplaces. But
the earthquake that undermined Charleston
caused II TO fall. There are no traces OF small
flowers; they have been quite rooted out by The
rampant blackberry. But there Is a Grape myrtle
one side OF where the front door USED 10 De mat Is
a marvel OF beauty. IL has grown 20 the size CT a
young maple and such a prodlgality or roseate
bloom was hardly ever seen. search the tree
over; there is hardly tw1g without It's lndlvlduai
rose-colored plume In the height OF us season
the LEAKAGE almost disappears under the pink cloud.
There Is something generous and inspiring In this
exuberaut blossomlng, that we think that's how
IL is sswhen nature herself takes coor1ng nt and
does something extraordinary, something really
to exhibit her power. And there Is surprising
grapevine at this Old house, too. IL has run up
the great oak and reached around, throwing q loop
over branch here, ana another little higher up,
till &c has crowned the entire tree, and It's uendr1s
swing airily from the tip top. The place IL q
Charming picture throughout, and II seen by
moonlight when the mass swags In that weird
way ali Us own IL passes the bounds OF prose, and
becomes a poem The house might have story
Connected with IL, but IL has whatever.
Abandoned during the war, and It's fightful owners
dying on IL stood with SO questionable a title that
Till finally the tax collector settled matters by
paying arrears and taking out a title for himself.
But he left In possession The charming little lizards
that are 90 captivating TO the Florida tourist and
when we call at the old place these little creatures
entertain us with q yivacity All their own